Man charged with peacekeeper's murder was on bail

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The man charged with murdering Australian peacekeeper Adam
Dunning was on bail over another homicide when Mr Dunning was
killed, police said today.

Solomon Islander John Hen Ome, 31, was yesterday charged with
the murder of the 26-year-old Australian Protective Service officer
and the attempted murder of his partner.

Officer Dunning was shot in the back while on a routine
night-time vehicle patrol on the streets of Honiara with another
officer early on Wednesday.

Ome, who handed himself in to police yesterday morning, had been
out on bail over another homicide, said Sandi Peisley,
Participating Police Force Commander.

It is understood he had not complied with his bail
conditions.

Ome's surrender followed an intensive investigation by Solomon
Islands police and Australian police with the Regional Assistance
Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Police were today hopeful of finding a second suspect, James
Tatau.

Commander Peisley said today the arrest and charging of Ome had
boosted the morale of RAMSI members but the investigation was
ongoing and police were still seeking Tatau for questioning.

Ome of Green Valley, Honiara, appeared before an out-of-sessions
magistrates court in the capital at 6.30pm on Friday and was
charged with one count of murder in relation to Officer Dunning's
death and one count of attempted murder in relation to a second
officer who was in the vehicle.

Both counts carry a mandatory life sentence under Solomon
Islands law.

Senator Ellison told Sky News that Australia would be "taking a
close interest in the prosecution".

He also said the 100 extra peacekeepers sent to the troubled
Pacific nation after the shooting may have helped pressure Ome to
turn himself in.

"We were making progress despite the deployment of troops," he
said.

"I had personal knowledge of the progress of this investigation
and I can say from the very outset we had some leads to work
on.

"But of course, the deployment of troops and further police did
send a very clear message - that we meant business, that we would
not be deterred by this outrageous murder of a police officer who
was trying to engage in peacekeeping."

He said police would continue their investigation to determine
if the murder was linked with other attacks.

The Solomon Islands Government congratulated the Royal Solomon
Islands Police Force and RAMSI for the arrest and charging of
Ome.

"I know officers from both forces have worked extremely hard to
achieve this early success and I commend them for this," acting
Prime Minister Synder Rini said.

"The Government and people of Solomon Islands are very proud of
the early success by the two forces.

"I would also like to thank members of the public who have
helped the investigation by supplying information which I
understand led to the arrest and charging of the suspect.

"It clearly shows that our people are law-abiding citizens and
will not tolerate the one or two people who like to destroy the
future for everyone else," Mr Rini said.